How Do You Feel About Working on a Team?

Teamwork is a big part of our lives. Whether we’re doing group projects at school or helping a friend move, we often work with others. Many jobs need teamwork, and some rely on it more than others. That’s why, during a job interview, you might hear the question, “How do you feel about working on a team?”

Variations of this interview question:

• What are your thoughts about working on a team?
• When working on a team, what role do you take?
• Tell me about a time you had to work as a team to accomplish a goal.

Interviewers ask these questions to see how well you work with others. They want to know if you’re good at teaming up because some jobs need a lot of teamwork. If they’re asking about it, it’s probably important for the job.

Pay attention to how the question is asked. If they say, “How do you feel about working in a team environment?” it means teamwork is a big deal at that company. If they ask, “Do you prefer working alone or as part of a team?” they’re trying to learn what you like best.

They also want to know what role you play when you’re on a team. Every team needs different kinds of people: leaders, helpers, idea-makers, planners, and peacemakers. Think about what you’re good at and what the job needs when you answer.

What interviewers want to hear about teamwork

When interviewers ask about working on a team, they usually hope you’ll say good things about it. Unless the job says they need someone who works alone, they’re bringing up teamwork because it’s important for the role.

They want to see if you can talk clearly and get along with others while working toward a shared goal. They need to feel sure that you can share tasks with your coworkers and do well in a team setting.

Interviewers also want to find out where you might fit on their team. If they already have lots of leaders, they might be looking for someone who’s great at following and supporting. That’s why it’s important to be honest about the role you like to play on a team.

How to answer “How do you feel about working on a team?”

Describe how you contribute

Think about what you do best when working with others. Do you like to keep things organized? Maybe you’re the person who makes sure everyone knows their tasks and deadlines. For example:

• If you’re an organizer: You might say, “I enjoy keeping our team on track by setting schedules and reminding everyone of upcoming deadlines. This helps us stay focused and meet our goals on time.”
• If you’re great at solving problems between people: You could share, “I often help when team members have different ideas. I listen to everyone and find a solution that works for the whole team.”

Try to use words from the job description. If the job mentions skills like “team player,” “leadership,” or specific tools and technologies, include those in your answer. For instance: “I’m skilled at using project management tools like Trello to keep our team’s tasks organized, which I noticed is important for this role.”

Share a success story

Before your interview, think of a story where you worked well with others. This story can help answer many teamwork questions. For example:

• Solving a problem together: “In my school project, our team had to create a science experiment. We faced a challenge when our initial plan didn’t work. I suggested we meet to brainstorm new ideas. Together, we came up with a better experiment that earned us an A.”
• Overcoming team challenges: “During a group assignment, two teammates disagreed on how to proceed. I stepped in to hear both sides and helped them find common ground. We combined their ideas and completed the project successfully.”

Make sure your story ends on a positive note, showing how the team succeeded because of your contribution.

How not to answer

Understanding what not to say in an interview is just as important as knowing the right answers. Here are some common mistakes to avoid when talking about teamwork:

Saying you dislike teamwork

Telling the interviewer that you don’t like working with others can hurt your chances of getting the job. For example, saying, “I prefer to work alone and find group projects frustrating,” might make them worry. Instead, you could say, “While I enjoy focusing on my tasks, I also appreciate the ideas and support that come from working with a team.” Even if you like working alone, focus on the benefits of teamwork.

Revealing “negative” qualities

Avoid sharing personal traits that might make you seem like a less effective team member. Saying things like you’re shy or have trouble sharing tasks can worry the interviewer. If you have challenges, talk about how you’re working to overcome them. Don’t describe yourself with words that have a bad impression, but rather focus on qualities that make you a good team member. For example, “I like to make sure tasks are done well, so I appreciate clear communication and setting expectations within the team.”

Sample answers to “How do you feel about working on a team?”

Why this works:

• Shows team involvement: It demonstrates that you actively participate in team activities.
• Problem-solving: You helped resolve a disagreement by providing helpful information.
• Positive outcome: The story ends with a success, showing the team’s effort paid off.

Why this works:

• Highlights communication skills: It shows you can interact well with others.
• Inclusivity: You make an effort to include all team members.
• Leadership qualities: Taking initiative to engage others is a valuable trait.

Why this works:

• Organizational skills: Shows you can help keep the team on track.
• Supportive nature: Willingness to help others reflects well on your teamwork abilities.
• Successful outcome: The positive result highlights the effectiveness of teamwork.

As you get ready for your interview, practice your answers about teamwork. Think of real examples where you worked well with others and be prepared for surprises, like being asked to join a group activity or meeting team members. Remember, showing that you can work well on a team can help you stand out as a great candidate!